Abstract
The human atrioventricular conduction system (AVCS), which includes the AV node and its approaches, AV bundle (penetrating, branching, and bifurcating parts), and the bundle branches, is a curved complex structure that has not been reconstructed in three dimensions using computer technology. Microscopic slides of every 40th serial section (cut at 7 micron level) of the AVCS were digitized into 600 dots/inch color images. External outlines of each section were manually segmented using commercially available three-dimensional rendering software (Rhinoceros). The AVCS was traced from light microscopy and superimposed onto the external outlines. To account for inherent errors in histological slide preparation, an optimization procedure was used to align external outlines of all sections. The optimal rotation and translation of each section was established by maximizing area of overlap between adjacent sections. A sequential one-dimensional minimization algorithm was used for optimization. Rotation and translation values were then used to align external outlines and the superimposed conduction system, reconstructing the AVCS in three-dimensions. To validate the method, the algorithm was applied to a digitized image transformed with known translations and rotations. The validation procedure demonstrated that each test image aligned in translations and to within 0.01 degree in rotations. Spatial error determined by resolution of the digitized images was ±0.5/600 inch (±21 microns). Three-dimensional reconstruction of every 40th serial section clearly demonstrated the complex curved shape of the AVCS. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the human and canine AVCS permits accurate pathological and electrophysiological correlation of the conduction system.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 740-748 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | PACE - Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 6 PART I |
| State | Published - Jun 1 2004 |
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Keywords
- Atrioventricular conduction system
- Computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction
- Optimization
- Pathology
- Serial sections
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
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Computer three-dimensional reconstruction of the atrioventricular conduction system. / Mutharasan, Raja Kannan; Nagaraj, Ashwin; Hamilton, Andrew J.; McPherson, David D.; Bharati, Saroja.
In: PACE - Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, Vol. 27, No. 6 PART I, 01.06.2004, p. 740-748.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Computer three-dimensional reconstruction of the atrioventricular conduction system
AU - Mutharasan, Raja Kannan
AU - Nagaraj, Ashwin
AU - Hamilton, Andrew J.
AU - McPherson, David D.
AU - Bharati, Saroja
PY - 2004/6/1
Y1 - 2004/6/1
N2 - The human atrioventricular conduction system (AVCS), which includes the AV node and its approaches, AV bundle (penetrating, branching, and bifurcating parts), and the bundle branches, is a curved complex structure that has not been reconstructed in three dimensions using computer technology. Microscopic slides of every 40th serial section (cut at 7 micron level) of the AVCS were digitized into 600 dots/inch color images. External outlines of each section were manually segmented using commercially available three-dimensional rendering software (Rhinoceros). The AVCS was traced from light microscopy and superimposed onto the external outlines. To account for inherent errors in histological slide preparation, an optimization procedure was used to align external outlines of all sections. The optimal rotation and translation of each section was established by maximizing area of overlap between adjacent sections. A sequential one-dimensional minimization algorithm was used for optimization. Rotation and translation values were then used to align external outlines and the superimposed conduction system, reconstructing the AVCS in three-dimensions. To validate the method, the algorithm was applied to a digitized image transformed with known translations and rotations. The validation procedure demonstrated that each test image aligned in translations and to within 0.01 degree in rotations. Spatial error determined by resolution of the digitized images was ±0.5/600 inch (±21 microns). Three-dimensional reconstruction of every 40th serial section clearly demonstrated the complex curved shape of the AVCS. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the human and canine AVCS permits accurate pathological and electrophysiological correlation of the conduction system.
AB - The human atrioventricular conduction system (AVCS), which includes the AV node and its approaches, AV bundle (penetrating, branching, and bifurcating parts), and the bundle branches, is a curved complex structure that has not been reconstructed in three dimensions using computer technology. Microscopic slides of every 40th serial section (cut at 7 micron level) of the AVCS were digitized into 600 dots/inch color images. External outlines of each section were manually segmented using commercially available three-dimensional rendering software (Rhinoceros). The AVCS was traced from light microscopy and superimposed onto the external outlines. To account for inherent errors in histological slide preparation, an optimization procedure was used to align external outlines of all sections. The optimal rotation and translation of each section was established by maximizing area of overlap between adjacent sections. A sequential one-dimensional minimization algorithm was used for optimization. Rotation and translation values were then used to align external outlines and the superimposed conduction system, reconstructing the AVCS in three-dimensions. To validate the method, the algorithm was applied to a digitized image transformed with known translations and rotations. The validation procedure demonstrated that each test image aligned in translations and to within 0.01 degree in rotations. Spatial error determined by resolution of the digitized images was ±0.5/600 inch (±21 microns). Three-dimensional reconstruction of every 40th serial section clearly demonstrated the complex curved shape of the AVCS. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the human and canine AVCS permits accurate pathological and electrophysiological correlation of the conduction system.
KW - Atrioventricular conduction system
KW - Computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction
KW - Optimization
KW - Pathology
KW - Serial sections
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=2942552157&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=2942552157&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
VL - 27
SP - 740
EP - 748
JO - PACE - Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology
JF - PACE - Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology
SN - 0147-8389
IS - 6 PART I
ER -